Andy Priaulx: “We know the car is capable of some great things”

Andy Priaulx feels in a good place heading into qualifying for the opening race of the new Ford GT era of the FIA World Endurance Championship at Silverstone.

The British racer has admitted that the weather conditions have not been too kind to them this weekend but it meant the team were able to get some wet running in to get some more information about set-up with the car.

“From a team and driver perspective I’m really pleased,” revealed Priaulx to The Checkered Flag. “The team’s been amazing first race to be at this level, obviously we know the car is capable of some great things, but obviously conditions have been very difficult.

“We’re going into qualifying and I’ve hardly driven in the rain and we’ve now got to qualify the car. It’s not a big drama but we’ve also got to learn how to make everything work in the rain.

“I don’t think it’ll actually dry, but it could be quite an interesting session, very transitional. I don’t think it’ll be slicks but it could be a dry wet tyre.”

The former World Touring Car Champion knows the Silverstone weekend will be one of learning for the Ford GT team and the three-driver line-up that also includes fellow Brits Marino Franchitti and Harry Tincknell.

“I don’t have any expectations except wanting myself to do the best job I can, make no mistakes and obviously I’d like to see how we all work together as a team,” said Priaulx. “Pit stops, strategy, there are a lot of things we have got to work through this weekend but I’m not worried about it, I know its good.

“We’ve all been very positive and happy in testing but we’ve got to see now after the race weekend where we are, and then we’ll have a lot of feedback and a lot of ideas for the future, but I would say so far, so good.”

Priaulx hopes to have a problem-free race on Sunday with the team, especially with the GTE Pro cars now being as complex as they are.

“We would like to have no issues and do a six hour race in a perfect way,” insisted Priaulx. “These GTE Pro cars now really complex pieces of kit.

“They are very intricate, there are a lot of electronics and it’s like a Formula 1 car in a lot of ways. Probably got more technology there than a F1 car in terms of some of the systems that we’re running.”

Priaulx admits he is happy to be back in endurance racing and being able to fight for a World Championship with the Ford GT team after a year racing in the British Touring Car Championship.

“It’s back to where I probably want to be for a while,” said Priaulx. “I really love touring cars and touring car racing and the BTCC is an amazing championship but I spent fourteen years with a manufacturer and I’m back in a manufacturer situation again.

“Obviously being able to fight for a World Championship again means a lot to me, so that’s why I’m very happy to be here.”